The Sustainable Communities Act. What does a Sustainable Community mean? “Creating healthy communities that can thrive and survive in the long term”

The Sustainable Communities Act

What does a Sustainable Community mean?

“Creating healthy communities that can thrive and survive in the long term”

How do we create a sustainable community?

• Government: national framework• Councils: local strategy• Is this enough?• What about local communities?• They should have a voice!

There is something that you would like improved in your community

How do you influence change at the local level?

The Sustainable Communities Act

“Britain’s best kept secret”

A channel for influencing change

Ghost Town BritainThe New Economics Foundation

• Decline in independent shops • Decline in banks and post offices• Decline in public services• Decline in political involvement• Communities fragmenting

Local Works Formed

• Coalition of over 100 organisations• Sustainable Communities Bill• 5 year campaign to pass the Act• Grassroots campaign• Thousands supported the Bill

The philosophy of the SCA

• Communities face overwhelming challenges which no council or community can resolve on their own

• Central government is very powerful, they should be able to help, not dictate, with the solutions

• Local people should be the experts to the problems they are facing in their area – they should have a voice

NOT just another consultation

• Councils have a legal duty to reach agreement with communities regarding ideas they have for help from central government

• Government has legal duty to reach agreement on proposals

• Unique process

The Sustainable Communities Act, 2007

• A channel through which local people, together with their councils, can drive government action in their local area.

• ‘Bottom up’ power

• You say what you want, rather than Whitehall dictating it

Achievements

• Saved post offices in Sheffield• Discounted business rates to help local shops• Promoted Renewable energy schemes• Closed planning loop holes• Statements of support from government

How Does The Act Work?

• Anyone can use the Act, it is not prescriptive

• A council must resolve to use the Act

• The key that unlocks the process

Your council is not using the Act, write down ways you can make your council resolve to use the act

Proposals1) Must help the community in a sustainable way

• Promote local economy• Help the local environment• Encourage greater democracy• Encourage greater social inclusion

2) Must require government action

• Not valid If the council can already do it

Your council is using the Act, write down ideas for proposals that would help your community

Environmental - promoting renewable energy, increasing recycling and protecting green spacesLocal Economies – promoting local shops, local businesses and local jobsSocial inclusion – protecting local public services and alleviating fuel poverty and food povertyDemocratic involvement – increasing ways that local people can participate in local decision making, promoting new ways in which people can influence what happens locally

Must be something that requires government action

www.localworks.org

Local Works team can offer advice and assistance

[email protected]: 0207 278 4443

Thank You!